MCDD 01

 Chapter 01

The change in Shaite Hunniswald happened one day, a year after our marriage.

As always, Shaite rarely came out of his room, and I was always out and about.

Even though we lived under the same roof, we almost never crossed paths.

At events where couples were invited, I usually attended alone.

That day too, the Duchess of Büttelen had invited the Baron and Baroness Hunniswald.

Shaite stayed locked in his room and didn’t even answer when I asked if he would come with me.

I, as usual, made an excuse and attended the ball alone.

The moment I stepped inside, hundreds of eyes turned toward me.

“The Baroness Hunniswald.”

Whispers began here and there, and soon the entire hall was buzzing.

I gladly accepted all the attention.

I briefly checked my reflection in the pitch-black window glass.

Perfect, as always.

My carefully styled light sky-blue hair curled neatly without a single tangle despite its natural waves.

A blue dress made from the finest silk, the kind even royalty struggled to obtain. A necklace made of diamonds so rare there were only three of its kind in the world.

Pale skin, a small face, delicate features. My gentle expression satisfied me.

Though I do dislike these slightly drooping eyes…

There was only one reason I disliked them.

“I heard she topped the Imperial National University entrance exams, but she looks surprisingly dull.”

“Hmph. She probably bought her way in. She’s the only daughter of the famous Lutshield family, after all.”

Slander.

“I heard her parents died and the estate was taken over by a cousin. There must be a reason she couldn’t inherit the family, don’t you think?”

“I heard she has quite the temper. They say even Baron Hunniswald is completely controlled by her.”

Blatant gossip.

“That lace detail—didn’t the designer refuse it because it was too labor-intensive?”

“Did you not know? The guild that sponsors them is backed by Lutshield Bank.”

“Oh my, how enviable. As expected, money is everything.”

Jealousy.

“She dumped me and ended up with someone as plain as Hunniswald? How disappointing.”

“Maybe he’s secretly muscular despite his looks.”

“You think she’s already checked? Honestly, the innocent-looking ones are the worst.”

Even vulgar harassment.

People with hostility were openly talking where I could hear everything.

All of it was because of my drooping eyes, making me look easy to target.

I frowned at my reflection in the window for a moment before turning away.

Of course, I wasn’t shaken by such words.

The golden brilliance of Lutshield.

A family that controlled numerous industries centered on banking, exerting immense influence over the entire nation.

That was my birth family.

Because of that, I had always been under attention since birth.

Even as a child, rumors and baseless speculation constantly surrounded me.

There were always people who disliked me without ever speaking to me or even meeting me properly.

Gossipers’ whispers had been like a sibling I grew up with.

Still, two things never changed.

No one could ignore the influence of “Lutshield.”

And even after marriage, I was still treated as “Lutshield.”

Insults and slander only existed because I was worth paying attention to.

Compared to the admiration and affection directed at me, they were nothing.

If I took just one step forward—

“Lady Amaranthis, you look even more beautiful today.”

“Baroness, your skin looks even better. So pale and soft like dough… not a single blemish!”

“Would you attend the banquet at our estate next time? It would be our greatest honor.”

“Your hair looks like silk. I have curly hair too—how do you maintain it?”

There were so many people who adored me.

Of course these baseless rumors couldn’t possibly damage my perfect image.

A smile naturally formed at the praise pouring in.

It had been raining earlier, so my hair had been especially troublesome… but the four hours I spent styling it were worth it—

Splash!

For a moment, it was.

I gasped in shock. The sharp, sweet smell of wine filled my lungs.

Wine soaked into my hair, sticking it messily to my face.

My beautiful blue dress was also stained a deep purple.

The surroundings fell into a stunned silence.

“Pfft!”

Someone’s clear laugh broke the silence.

Then chaos erupted.

“Baroness! Are you alright?”

“Here, use my handkerchief!”

Even Duchess Büttelen, the host of the ball, rushed over immediately.

“Amaranthis, I’ll prepare a room for you. You can change there. I’ll lend you one of my dresses.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Duchess.”

I smiled gracefully, but inside I was boiling with rage.

Who would dare…!

Clenching my teeth, I turned toward where the wine had come from.

A poorly dressed woman by noble standards was trembling violently. Her own clothes were also soaked in wine. Tears quickly welled up in her orange eyes.

“I-I’m sorry, really, I’m so sorry. I got swept up in the crowd and…”

If it had been intentional, I wouldn’t have forgiven her.

But… it didn’t look like it was on purpose.

Seeing how panicked she was made my anger subside slightly. However, the atmosphere around us remained harsh.

“Where are you even looking? Tsk tsk.”

“Don’t make excuses—apologize properly.”

As people began to pressure her, onlookers watched with shining eyes.

Like vultures spotting rotten meat.

If I sided with her here, they would surely start spreading rumors about my personality, calling me a hypocrite.

There was no need to give them ammunition.

I composed my expression and stepped forward.

“What is your name?”

“M-Melis Haller, m-my lady.”

“I see. Lady Haller. Your clothes are ruined as well. That’s unfortunate. Come with me. Duchess, would that be alright?”

“If that is what Amaranthis wishes, of course.”

I took Melis’s trembling hand and guided her like an escort.

As I moved, the crowd parted while whispering.

“How kind.”

“As expected of Baroness Hunniswald. She’s like an angel.”

“But who is that girl?”

“I heard she just arrived in the capital from the countryside.”

“She probably spilled the wine on purpose to get attention.”

Melis’s face gradually lost color. Her fingers trembled uncontrollably.

Openly taking her side would not help either of us.

Leaving the situation was the best option, so I led her away.

Guided by a servant, we entered the Duchess’s dressing room, and Melis followed nervously behind me.

“I’m sorry, Baroness. It was an accident, but everything’s damp and unpleasant for you, isn’t it? I’m really sorry.”

Watching her whimper like a scolded puppy made me feel uneasy.

She had said she was new to the capital, hadn’t she?

I had once been like that too.

Back when I was suddenly thrown into the marriage market.

People’s scrutiny and hostility were far more blatant than expected. My cousin Arpedio had once given me advice when I was flustered.

“Nobles in the capital live comfortable, even boring lives. That’s why they like stimulation—things like hunting.”

Melis tilted her head.

“Pardon?”

“It means that if you show weakness like this, you become an easy target for unpleasant people.”

“Ah…!”

A pale yellow dress hanging nearby caught my eye. It suited Melis’s skin tone, light brown hair, and orange eyes, while still looking refined.

“So, apologizing sincerely once is enough.”

Melis nodded with a flushed face.

I brought her to stand in front of the mirror.

When I placed my hand on her hunched back, she startled and straightened immediately.

“Open your chest, shoulders back. No, not too stiff like that.”

As I held the elegant pale yellow dress up to her, her earlier shabby appearance disappeared.

“Hm. Much better. What do you think of this dress?”

“I-it’s so beautiful. For you to personally choose it for me… it’s such an honor. I’ll cherish it.”

“It’s not even mine. You should thank the Duchess instead.”

I rang the bell, and a maid entered.

“Take her and fix her hair. Two of you stay and help me.”

“Yes, Baroness.”

The maids led Melis away.

With the remaining maids’ help, I bathed and changed.

After a moment of looking in the mirror, I smiled gently at them.

“I’d like to rest for a moment. Could you step outside?”

“Of course, my lady. Please call us anytime.”

“Thank you.”

The maids bowed and left.

I stood there for a moment, listening as their footsteps faded away.

Then—

“Puhah!”

I flopped onto the sofa.